Monrovia, Liberia: President George Manneh Weah has commissioned several senior government officials, in fulfillment of a tradition the Liberian leader performs from time to time as Head of State to officially install chief lieutenants into office, charge and give them his blessings.

 

Although it is not the first commissioning ceremony performed by President Weah since his inauguration about five months ago, the latest included almost all Cabinet Ministers, Directors of Autonomous Agencies of government, Presidential Advisors, among others.

 

At the commissioning ceremony held Thursday, June 21, 2018 in the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Weah reminded the commissioned officials of the enormity of their respective responsibilities, not for themselves but the general wellbeing and interest of the Liberian people.

 

He also cautioned ministers and other officials against compromising the interest of the people as well as other missteps in the discharge of their respective duties. 

 

The President said spouses and family members of government officials are uniquely important to their success. He therefore, encouraged them to advise their relatives not to conduct themselves in ways that could jeopardize the interest of the country and eventually tie down national development. 

 

The Liberian leader said he has no fear making decisions intended to impact the people of Liberia, and urged relatives of all government officials to stand in the gap to encourage their relatives in government to work in the interest of the people.

 

President Weah also further placed emphasis on the issue of performance in his government as a serious matter, and said those occupying positions in government should not relent or renege prioritizing performance.

 

“The government is in line fulfilling the Pro-Poor Agenda that targets all Liberians regardless of their connections in society,” President Weah noted.

 

“I am very excited and glad that today you can be commissioned; I think it speaks a lot. For me performance is rotational; I am in a gathering where we have to perform; then we will accept that when you are not doing well someone else will have to come in to do well”.

 

According to the Liberia leader, his administration believes in performance and that those that will keep the torch of the Pro-Poor Agenda burning in the interest of Liberians will also be remembered by the people of Liberia. 

 

He said: “I come from a family that when you are not on the field you are on the bench. And when you are in the dressing ground and you are on the bench then you are closer to the field.

 

So, they make the list and you are selected; out of those that are selected when they are going to the field and you see yourself on the bench, it means that somebody is better than you until you prove yourself. I can only wish you the best; we are all working for the Liberian people, you are not working for me. I can only monitor you and you need to do your best, because only your best is required and when you do more than your best, then is it complicated because only your best is required.” 

 

He pointed out that anyone who fails to stand on the side of the general interest of the people will have themselves to blame, as he would harbor no fear in taking decisions in the interest of Liberia and its citizens.     

          

Commenting on criticisms, President Weah told the commissioned officials that he was aware that it is based on decisions he (President Weah) has made and will always make in the interest of Liberians, but called on them to ensure that his Pro-Poor Agenda is achievable and carry out with due diligence.